I do not own Naruto, nor do I think Kishimoto would approve of me using his character as the basis for my soap opera.
Inside the parking deck Itachi's car was already waiting. Once settled the eyes of the blonde driver fixed on him in the rearview mirror. "Corner of Spring and Crosby, Boss?"
"Hn"
The Driver said no more and put the car in gear heading for the confirmed location of his charge's lunch date. The afternoon's outing is more than likely family related. Itachi rarely left his office for lunch. In fact it was his personal policy to never engage in business lunches. The Boss considered 'doing lunch' a poor means of seduction. If he was going to sending his money, expensive bottles of liquor and food would not be a factor in his decision. The driver continued to navigate through city traffic, musing about his bosses complexities while waiting a stop lights. Once out the restaurant he double parked and unlocked the doors.
"Two hours, Deidara." The door closed before a response came. If there was one thing Deidara could say he liked about Itachi it would be that he did not act like the pampered princess he was supposed to be. Nor did he want or expect door service. Cutting off the taxi behind MXZ, Deidara made his way to Central Park to hit his favorite Falafel truck.
The Maître's attempted usher the new diner to the reserved tabled. But was waved off the moment Itachi spotted his partner. He sized the younger man quickly. If the height of his quirked eyebrow was any indication he did not approve of the appearance of his kin. Rocker chic was not his favorite style of dress. More than anything Skinny jeans should not be worn by everyman, and the use of hair get that made you hair look unkempt was vulgar him. But, he could keep that negativity to himself, remembering his days as a b-boy. Wordlessly he slides into the opposite chair.
"I am surprised you came"
"Why would you assume I would not come little brother",
"I don't know same reason you bailed on us for seven years then returned like nothing happen".
"Sasuke, my dear foolish little brother, you still don't understand. But you did not invite me here to rehash the past. Tell me what is really on your mind". He leans on the table palms out to brother. For briefest of moments, Sasuke would have sworn under oath that Itachi was being sincere. For just a millisecond the iris and pupil of Itachi's usually continuous inky orbs, separated and the older the brother that knew as a child was sitting across from him. It is almost enough to convince Sasuke to let his guard down. He can trust that his brother really cares. That is until Itachi's phone rang. Pushing an idle hand through his hair Sasuke ruefully watches his brother answer the text.
Sasuke can hear the tapping over the clatter of the restaurant the surrounds. But this is only because he put all energy into mentally causing his brothers precious 'I' to instantaneously combust. When his pyro kinesis fails, he decided that a verbal assault will have to do, however the waiter appears before a lecture poor table manners can begin. Itachi did not raise his eyes until after Sasuke put in their lunch orders.
"Thank you for remembering"
"Remembering, what exactly, that you eat like a pig every time we have lunch? Or that you spend more time on the phone than talking to me?"
"I was referring to the prior. This is the optimal time of day for my body to take in nutrients, it is only logical that have my highest caloric intake now."
Sasuke let out an exasperated sigh, and leveled an eye at his company. The phone chose this moment to rattle the table flatware again. "Really?!" Itachi did even offer an apologetic gesture as his thumbs pounded out a new message. "If your conference calls are so important why didn't you stay at the office?"
Mid-stroke Itachi stopped. "This is not a conference call. I am responding to our mother's questions about you. Question you should be answering. As it stands you cannot seem to make time to see her, and you have an uncanny ability of planning our lunches at the same time as her Ladies of Society gatherings. This passive aggressive strategy creation a situations were that likelihood of her seeing miniscule. Thus, you are freed from calming her concerns yourself. Unless, you man up and pick of a phone",
When the waiter returned he found the brothers engaged in a staring match. He placed their food and drink on the white linen. The serve was ignored when he asked if there was anything else he could get them. The pair probably would have remained that way if had not been for the combined aroma of steak, ceviche, and two serving profiteroles, that set Itachi's mouth to water. "Despite what you may think, everything I do, I do for you little brother. Even you realize that you only showing up of the holidays is lame. Now, can we please enjoy this meal like normal siblings" He asks while cutting into the steak.
"We are not normal siblings."
"I beg to differ." Itachi paused as he pointed to his plate, "Now that I look you, Mom's right you look 'puny'. Would you like some of my steak?"
"Whatever," Sasuke retorted as he slide an envelope over the table. "Orochimaru would like for you to attend the album release party he's throwing us."
To hide his grimaced Itachi reached for his appetizer. Oro was one lecherous old man he had had his fill of, but their dealing had been for the benefit of Sasuke not that he would let that fact slip.
"You have a plus one, and that does not include your chauffeur in drag", his tone ripe with ire.
Itachi sipped at his ceviche, before replying. "Should I bring a plus one I will take pains that we are both in gender appropriate attire. Although mother thought Deidara and I looked fetching in the photos she saw from the last party"
"Ahh, fine." Sasuke growled pushing his trout to the side, "I'll call her tonight. But I am not going over there."
"I think this is the best lunch we've had. Balthazar is definitely our place." He says with smirk, stuffing the envelope into his breast pocket.
Sasuke wanted to take the glass of Rhone in hand and contact it with brother's head. It was one thing for Itachi to be in his business persona, but when he acted like they were really siblings, the frustration and anger he held always seemed to bubble to the surface. In moments like this Sasuke had to draw one the memory of a conversation he heard years ago, "no matter what you think about Ita-kun, he does everything for you." But was so hard let that idea take root when you're sitting across from a man that just beguiled you into doing what you planned on doing, only when he wanted you to do it. Sasuke had only been prolonging talking to their mother to avoid another plea for him to reconcile with the heads of the family. Sasuke did not see that happening in his lifetime thought it should be considered a miracle that he talked to Itachi.
Hinata sat in her old room, amazed as how much the girl she had been differed from the woman she had become. The flora pattern on the walls, the stuffed animals on the bed, they did not belong her any more. Picking up one of stuffed toys she wondered if they ever had belonged her. After two weeks she longed to return to Singapore. She could box all this up. She could ask for a decorator to come in, make the place fit her grown up taste. But considering how immaculate Hiashi had maintained it all these years, maybe this was his form of sentiment. Or it could all be a head game. Putting her in this un-renovated suite of rooms (despite knowing how she had changed) could have been done on purpose. A subtle way of saying he still only saw as child playing dress up.
Living under the Hyuuga roof was not as overbearing as it had been in her youth. That was probably thanks to the Anko, and her own personal growth, but still some things did not change. She still felt she had to prove she had the right to be there. She had to earn the right to be Hyuuga. Running the Asian branch companies was not enough. This summons home was just another test. It is all another chance for Hiashi to pit her against Neji. If only Neji would stop rising to bait, they could work as a team. The paper would be signed and she could be back on a plane. But the arrogant ass saw her presence as a threat and sabotaged effort she had made to aid him so far. She shook her head, placing the doll back on the bed; I'll play this silly game of family feud but not by their rules.
"Hinata can you please come to the library" came over room's intercom. Glancing at the clock she was surprised that she lingered in the room thinking. "Be there momentarily", she had not been prone to such behavior since adolescence. Grabbing the folder, she that brought here, from the French provincial dresser Hinata journeyed back into the main house with a greater sense of determination. She would see this deal done if for no other reason to than to prove to her father that she was not the shy, stuttering little girl that had shipped to Switzerland years ago.
Inside the library, her assistants Shino and body Guard Kiba were pouring over documents.
"Well gentlemen what have we learned?"
Kiba shoved his stake aside with a huff, "Nothing really. The asshole just won't sign the papers. It's probably because the stupid Hyuuga versa Uchiha feud"
Shino glance at his partner, "I am inclined to disagree; the younger Uchiha does not performance like Fugako or Madara. This deal is technically in his favor. His constant rejection is illogical"
Hinata paused flipping thought the papers Shikamaru Nara had sent her days ago. To her surprise they both come to the same assumption, Itachi was fine with selling to InoShikaCho, but someone or something was holding him back. "I need to know everything about Itachi Uchiha. "
Kiba sat up, concern etched in his features. His brown eyes took on a hunter's edged analyzing her words and body language. Shino on the other hand adjusted his shades and increased his typing.
"Yes, Kiba I want a full docket, including medical and psych evaluation, daily routine, recent meetings, agendas, shopping patterns, I want it all." Her face was almost placid as she said. This was not her normal approach. But then again Hinata had dozens of allies in the east, and people clamored her. Investing this much time was could mean one of two things.
"Boss, you're not going to try to seduce him are you? I've heard rumors", he asked through clenched jaws.
His inquiry made her chuckle, "No. That would be too obvious. I need that information to create a series of opportunities. Currently, Neji has him thinking we are desperate. My presence here has only had to that fervor. There are few option to rectify such a situation. So instead of going to him-"
"You intend to use his suspicious as lure. " Shino cut in.
"What?", Kiba whirled. He had been following Shino interrupted.
"It's simple. Instead of engaging the Uchiha directly, Hinata intends to plant herself in non-industry related places he venture regularly. Mr. Uchiha will be expecting formal requests for a meeting, emails, invitation and the like, but our camp will send none. However, the constant sight of her without actually being confront will…annoy a man like Mr. Uchiha. It is this personality trait that will bring him to us." Shino concluded by returning to multiple screens.
The tension in Kiba's face slipped away as he lifted his gaze to the coffered ceiling. After a few moments he replied. "So…she is going to seduce him… by ignoring him."
At that Hinata laughed out right, "Only you would reduce our plan to a mating ritual".
With his most charming smile he replied, "I just call it like see it."
Kiba grinned wolfishly, but glanced over to his partner who had yet to raise his head from the screens before him.